MF.A. students emphasizing in nonfiction are expected to compile a significant amount of both creative and academic writings, and are encouraged to finish a full manuscript.
Nonfiction majors complete:
- A thesis work with a minimum of 120 pages (though we encourage our students to complete a full manuscript, which is typically in excess of 200 pages).
- This manuscript can be a memoir, essay collection, creative nonfiction, single-or-multi topic examination or historical work.
- All genres and forms are welcome.
- An extensive study of craft and literature — approximately 10–15 books per quarter and several critical papers a month
- Accompanied by extensive lectures both online and during residency.
- Reading list devised in consultation with your professor based on the literature directly related to your creative aims.
- All students lecture during their final residency on a topic relevant to their course of study as part of their Professional Development curriculum.
- Each student writes three longer critical works — two 10-page papers and one 20-page paper — based on an area of interest in their cumulative readings, creative work and outside study.